On Friday, May 1, 2026, leaders of UD’s Delaware Center for Civics Education (DCCE) hosted a Mock Second Continental Congress organized as part of the Delaware 250 commemorative events. Fran O’Malley, director of DCCE, and Mike Feldman of the Delaware Department of Education chaired the proceedings with support from Scott Abbott, assistant director of DCCE. This event gathered 58 middle and high school students from around the state in Legislative Hall to participate, with each playing the role of a conservative, moderate, or radical. The students debated five key issues that dominated discussions in 1776, and then cast their votes for or against independence. In a surprise move, the middle school delegation voted against independence, citing concerns about the lack of a central government, the might of the British military and dependence on the British economy. Organizers were somewhat relieved when the high school students voted in favor of separation. Several organizations partnered to make the Mock Second Continental Congress a success, including Delaware 250, Delaware Center for Civics Education, Delaware Historical Society, Delaware Heritage Commission, Delaware Public Archives, Delaware First State Heritage Park, Delaware Department of Education and The Social Studies Coalition of Delaware. DCCE is part of the Institute for Public Administration (IPA), a research and public service center in the Joseph R. Biden, Jr. School of Public Policy and Administration.